Flavoring component holding dispenser for use with consumable beverages

ABSTRACT

A dispenser for a bottle that is adapted to contain a consumable beverage. The dispenser includes a dispenser body defining a chamber therein. The chamber is adapted to hold a flavoring component. The dispenser body has a first dispenser end, suitable for drinking therefrom, and has a second dispenser end, adapted to be positioned within the bottle when the dispenser is engaged with the bottle. The plunger is slidably disposed at least partially within the dispenser body for movement from a first plunger position to a second plunger position, in which the plunger penetrates a portion of the dispenser body to create a passageway. When the plunger is in the second plunger position and a cap is in a first cap position, the plunger end cooperates with the cap to seal the cap opening.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/019,488, filed Dec. 22, 2004, which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/361,269, filed Feb. 10, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,959,839; priorityto each of the above-identified patents is claimed and each of the aboveidentified patents is incorporated by reference herein as if fully setforth in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is directed generally to consumable beveragedispensers for use with bottles and, more specifically, to a consumablebeverage dispenser capable of holding a flavoring component forselective mixing with a consumable beverage.

Sports or drink bottles have significant advantages over priordisposable cups with lids and even over conventional beverage cans andbottles. A drinking bottle is typically constructed of resilient,flexible plastic material which is more durable than prior known drinkcontainers and thus may be used during recreational activities or whiledriving a vehicle. Drink bottles having spouts or straws with cappedends provide additional advantages for convenient use in variousenvironments. Unfortunately, such drink bottles are incapable of storinga flavoring component separate from the main consumable beverage untiljust prior to the initial consumption of the consumable beverage.

It would be advantageous to provide a dispenser containing a flavoringcomponent capable of being dispensed just prior to initial consumption;that preferably uses a plunger to release the flavoring component; thatpreferably uses a plunger end to seal an opening in the bottle's cap;and that is simple to use.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a dispenser for abottle that is adapted to contain a consumable beverage. The dispenseris adapted for a person to drink from and is adapted to engage thebottle. The dispenser includes a dispenser body defining a chambertherein. The chamber is adapted to hold a flavoring component. Thedispenser body has a first dispenser end, suitable for drinkingtherefrom, and has a second dispenser end, adapted to be positionedwithin the bottle when the dispenser is engaged with the bottle. Theplunger is slidably disposed at least partially within the dispenserbody for movement from a first plunger position, in which a plunger endextends outwardly from the first dispenser end of the dispenser body, toa second plunger position, in which the plunger penetrates a portion ofthe dispenser body to create a passageway. The passageway is adapted toallow the flavoring component from the chamber to mix with theconsumable beverage. A cap is slidably positioned on the first dispenserend of the dispenser body and defines a cap opening adapted to allow aperson to drink the consumable beverage therefrom. The cap is moveablebetween a first cap position, in which the cap opening is proximate tothe first dispenser end of the dispenser body, and a second capposition, in which the cap opening is spaced further from the firstdispenser end than when the cap is in the first cap position. When theplunger is in the second plunger position and the cap is in the firstcap position, the plunger end cooperates with the cap to seal the capopening so that the dispenser is adapted to prevent the consumablebeverage from leaving the bottle.

A separate embodiment of the present invention is directed to adispenser for a bottle adapted to contain a consumable beverage. Thedispenser is adapted for a person to drink from and is adapted to engagethe bottle. The dispenser includes a dispenser body defining a chambertherein. The chamber is adapted to hold a flavoring component. Thedispenser body has a first dispenser end, suitable for drinkingtherefrom, and has a second dispenser end, adapted to be positionedwithin the bottle when the dispenser is engaged with the bottle. A capis slidably positioned on the first dispenser end of the dispenser bodyand defines a cap opening adapted to allow the person to drink theconsumable beverage therefrom. The cap has an inner cap surface. Aremovable member is disposed about the dispenser body and is adapted toprevent the cap from sliding from a second cap position, in which theinner cap surface is spaced from the first dispenser end, to a first capposition, in which the inner cap surface is at least in close proximityto the first dispenser end. A plunger is slidably positioned at leastpartially within the dispenser body for movement from a first plungerposition, in which the plunger generally extends between the inner capsurface and the second dispenser end, to a second plunger position, inwhich the plunger penetrates a portion of the dispenser body to create apassageway. The passageway is adapted to allow the flavoring componentfrom the chamber to mix with the consumable beverage in the bottle. Whenthe removable member is displaced from about the dispenser body, the capcan be moved into the first cap position to drive the plunger from thefirst plunger position to the second plunger position.

A separate embodiment of the present invention is directed to adispenser for a bottle that is adapted to contain a consumable beverage.The dispenser is adapted for a person to drink from and is adapted toengage the bottle. The dispenser includes a dispenser body defining achamber therein. The chamber is adapted to hold a flavoring component.The dispenser body has a first dispenser end, suitable for drinkingtherefrom, and has a second dispenser end, adapted to be positionedwithin the bottle when the dispenser is engaged with the bottle. Thedispenser body has a consumable beverage passageway extending betweenthe first dispenser end and a portion of a dispenser outer surfaceadapted to be located within the bottle when the dispenser is engagedwith the bottle. A plunger is at least partially slidably disposedwithin the dispenser body such that when the dispenser is secured to thebottle, the dispenser body drives the plunger to penetrate a portion ofthe dispenser body to create a passageway, the passageway being adaptedto allow the flavoring component from the chamber to mix with theconsumable beverage in the bottle. Wherein the consumable beveragepassageway is adapted to allow the consumable beverage and/or theflavoring component to pass through the dispenser to the first dispenserend.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments of the present invention, will be betterunderstood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For thepurpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawingsembodiments which are presently preferred. It is understood, however,that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to a firstpreferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the dispensermounted on a bottle adapted to contain a consumable beverage;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 illustrating atubular sleeve that is slidably positionable over the dispenser tosecure a dispenser lip to an upper edge of an outer surface of thebottle that defines a bottle mouth therein;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 as takenalong the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and illustrates a plunger in a firstplunger position with a plunger end extending outwardly from the firstdispenser end of the dispenser body;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 3 as takenalong the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and illustrates at least one guideprojection that extends outwardly from the plunger and slidably abuts aninner chamber surface to maintain the proper alignment of the plungerwithin the chamber;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 1, similar tothat of FIG. 3, and illustrates the plunger in a second plunger positionsuch that the plunger has penetrated a portion of the dispenser body toallow the flavoring component to mix with the consumable beverage andillustrates the cap in a first cap position such that the plunger endcooperates with the cap to seal the cap opening and to prevent the flowof consumable beverage or flavoring component through the dispenser;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 similar tothat of FIG. 3, illustrating the cap in the second cap position fordrinking therefrom;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to a secondpreferred embodiment of the present invention prior to insertion in thebottle;

FIG. 8 is cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 7 mounted to thebottle and illustrates the tubular sleeve being integrally formed withthe dispenser body such that tubular sleeve is disposed over and spacedfrom a portion of the dispenser body to create a perimeter groove aroundthe dispenser body that is adapted to receive a portion of the bottleand that defines a bottle opening;

FIG. 9 is cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 7, similar tothat of FIG. 8, and illustrates the plunger in the second plungerposition and the cap in the first cap position;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 7 with theplunger in the second plunger position and the cap in the first capposition;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to a thirdpreferred embodiment of the present invention secured to the bottle;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the dispenser of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 11 as takenalong the line 13-13 of FIG. 11 and illustrates a removable membermaintaining the cap in the second cap position with the plunger in afirst plunger position in which the plunger generally extends between aninner cap surface and the second dispenser end;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 11, similarto that of FIG. 13, and illustrates the dispenser with the removablemember detached such that the cap can be moved into the first capposition to drive the plunger into a second plunger position in whichthe plunger penetrates the dispenser body to form a passageway betweenthe chamber and the interior of the bottle;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to a fourthpreferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating the dispenserprior to being to secured to the bottle;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 15 secured tothe bottle and illustrates the cap in the first cap position with theplunger in the second plunger position;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to a fifthpreferred embodiment of the present invention prior to being secured tothe bottle;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 17 secured tothe bottle and illustrates the plunger in a first plunger position;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 17, similarto that of FIG. 18 and illustrates the plunger after the dispenser bodyhas driven the plunger to penetrate a portion of the dispenser bodyduring the securing of the dispenser body to the bottle;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to a sixthpreferred embodiment of the present invention prior to securing thedispenser to the bottle;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 20 andillustrates the dispenser just prior to the engagement of the dispenserto the bottle; and

FIG. 22 illustrates the dispenser of FIG. 20 with the plunger in thesecond position after being driven by a portion of the dispenser bodyduring the securing the dispenser body to the bottle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenienceonly and is not limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “top,” and “bottom”designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Thewords “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and awayfrom, respectively, the geometric center of the dispenser and designatedparts thereof. The term “flavoring component”, as used in the claims andin the corresponding portions of the specification, is defined asmeaning “a juice concentrate, a drink mix, a drink powder, a vitaminmix, a protein powder, a liquid containing caffeine, a flavoringelement, a coloring element, a dye, a food coloring, or the like.” Thewords “a” and “one” are defined as including one or more of thereferenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. This terminologyincludes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof,and words of similar import.

Referring to FIGS. 1-22, wherein like numerals indicate like elementsthroughout, six preferred embodiments of a dispenser according to thepresent invention are shown and generally designated 30:1-30:6,respectively. Briefly stated, the dispenser 30:1-30:6 is adapted tocontain a flavoring component 32 in a chamber 34 within a dispenser body40. The flavoring component 32 is preferably selectively dispensed intoa consumable beverage 36 contained in a bottle 38 to which the dispenser30:1-30:6 is attached.

Many of the features of the dispenser 30:1-30:6 of the present inventionare similar and operate in a generally similar fashion. For simplicity,the first preferred dispenser 30:1 will be described and, thereafter,only the differences between the first preferred dispenser 30:1 and theremaining preferred dispensers 30:2-30:6 will be discussed. Accordingly,it is understood that those features discussed in connection with anyone of the embodiments of the dispensers 30:1-30:6 will operategenerally the same in the remaining embodiments unless otherwisedescribed. Additionally, it is understood from this disclosure that thevarious features shown in the drawings and described in thespecification can be interchanged without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

It is preferred that the dispenser 30:1-30:6 is formed of a sturdy,non-reactive, durable, lightweight material, suitable for use withbeverages, such as a suitable polymer. However, those of ordinary skillin the art will appreciate from this disclosure that any known materialsuitable for use with consumable beverages be can used without departingfrom the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, one embodiment of the dispenser 30:1 of thepresent invention is adapted for a person to drink from and is adaptedto engage the bottle 38. The dispenser 30:1 includes the dispenser body40 that defines the chamber 34 therein. The chamber 34 is adapted tohold the flavoring component 32. The dispenser body 40 is preferablyformed in a cylindrical fashion. Referring specifically to FIG. 3, thedispenser body 40 may have a longitudinal axis 44. The chamber 34preferably has at least first and second chamber sections 46A, 46B. Thefirst chamber section includes a first dispenser end 42A.

The first chamber cross-section, as measured perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 44, is preferably greater than a second chambercross-section, as measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 44.That is, the first chamber section 46A is preferably located at the topof the chamber 34 with a side that is bounded by an inner surface 48 ofa cap 50. The second chamber section 46B is preferably located adjacentto the first chamber section 42A. It is preferred that the first andsecond chamber sections 46A, 46B are cylindrical. Referring to the lowerportion of the chamber 34, it is preferred that the chamber 34 include achamber shoulder 52 that is adapted to abut at least one guideprojection 54 (further described below) to prevent a plunger 56 (furtherdescribed below) from being completely withdrawn from the dispenser body40.

The chamber shoulder 52 can be formed at an interface between the secondchamber section 46B and a third chamber section 46C. The third chambersection 46C preferably has a third chamber cross-section, as measuredperpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 44, that is greater than thesecond chamber cross-section.

As detailed above, the first dispenser end 42A is preferably open. Thefirst end 42A of the dispenser is substantially closed by the cap 50positioned on the first dispenser 42A. While a particular shape has beendescribed above for the chamber 34 contained in the dispenser body 40,those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosurethat the dimensions and shape of the chamber 34 can be varied withoutdeparting from scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the dispenser body has a first dispenser end 42Asuitable for drinking therefrom. The dispenser has a second dispenserend 42B that is adapted to be positioned within the bottle 38 when thedispenser 30:1 is engaged with the bottle 38. While the second end 42Bis generally shown as only slightly protruding past the neck of thebottle 38, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from thisdisclosure that the amount of penetration of the second dispenser end42B into the bottle 38 can vary without departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

The dispenser body 40 preferably includes a penetrable section 60disposed on the second dispenser end 42B. As best shown in FIG. 2, thedispenser body 40 also preferably includes an outwardly directeddispenser lip 64 that forms a dispenser shoulder 66 that is adapted tobe seated on a bottle surface 68 that defines a bottle opening 70.

It is preferable that a tubular sleeve 72 is slidably engagable over thedispenser 30:1 to secure the dispenser 30:1 at least partially in thebottle opening 70. The tubular sleeve 72 is preferably threadablyengagable with the bottle 38 via the engagement of at least one sleevethread 76 with at least one bottle thread 74. Referring to FIG. 7,alternatively, the tubular sleeve 72 can be integrally formed with thedispenser body 40 such that the tubular sleeve is disposed over andspaced from a portion of the dispenser 40 to create a perimeter groove78 around the dispenser body 40 that is adapted to receive the portionof the bottle surface 68 that defines the bottle opening 70.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the plunger 56 is slidably disposed atleast partially within the dispenser body 40 for movement from a firstplunger position (shown in FIG. 3), in which a plunger end 58 extendsoutwardly from the first dispenser end 42A of the dispenser body 40, toa second a plunger position (shown in FIGS. 5 and 6), in which theplunger 56 penetrates a portion 60 of the dispenser body 40 to create apassageway 62. The passageway 62 is adapted to allow the flavoringcomponent 32 from the chamber 34 to mix with the consumable beverage 36in the bottle 38.

It is preferred that the plunger end 58 forms a button 80 that, whilethe plunger 56 is in the first plunger position, is adapted for a personto depress (i.e., to move inwardly) to allow the flavoring component 32to mix with the consumable beverage 36. The button 80 can have any shapedepending upon the desired cap opening 82 (that preferable correlationis further described below).

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the plunger 56 preferably includes at leastone gasket 84 extending outwardly therefrom. The at least one gasket 84preferably forms a chamber seal 86 (shown in FIG. 3) between the plunger56 and an inner chamber surface 48 along the first chamber section 46Awhen the plunger 56 is in the first plunger position (as shown in FIG.3). The chamber seal 86 is adapted to prevent the flavoring component 32from being dispensed through the cap 50. This simplifies transportationand handling of the dispenser 30:1 prior to use.

The at least one gasket 84 is preferably spaced from the inner chambersurface along the second chamber section 46B when the plunger 56 is inthe second position (shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) to form a chamberpassageway 88. The chamber passageway 88 is adapted to allow theflavoring component 32 and/or the consumable beverage 36 to flow throughthe chamber 34 toward the cap 50. The chamber passageway 88 preferablyextends generally about the perimeter of the at least one gasket 84 dueto the increased cross-sectional area of the second chamber section 46Brelative to the first chamber section 46A. It is preferred that theplunger 56 include at least one guide projection 54 that extendsoutwardly therefrom and slidably abuts the inner chamber surface 48.

Referring specifically to FIG. 4, it is preferred that the guideprojection 54 comprise four fins 90 that are spaced generallyequidistantly about the plunger 56. Those of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that any guide projection 54 design can be used providedthat the flavoring component 32 and/or the consumable beverage 36 canpass by the guide projection(s) 54. Depending upon the interference fitbetween the guide projections 54 and the inner chamber surface 48, theamount of force necessary to move the plunger 56 from the first plungerposition to the second plunger position can be customized to customertaste.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the cap 50 is slidably positioned on thefirst dispenser end 42A of the dispenser body and defines a cap opening82 adapted to allow a person to drink the consumable beverage 36therefrom. It is preferable that the cap 50 is slidable upwardly anddownwardly on the dispenser 40. The cap is moveable between a first capposition (shown in FIG. 5), in which the cap opening 82 is proximate tothe first dispenser end 42A of the dispenser body 40, and a second capposition (shown in FIG. 6) in which the cap opening 82 is spaced furtherfrom the first dispenser end 42A than when the cap 50 is in the firstcap position.

Referring specifically to FIG. 5, when the plunger 56 is in the secondplunger position and the cap 50 is in the first cap position, theplunger end 58 cooperates with the cap 50 to seal the cap opening 82 sothat the dispenser 30:1 is adapted to prevent the consumable beverage 36from leaving the bottle 38. Accordingly, the cap opening 82 can have anyshape and it is preferable that the button 80 formed by the plunger end58 of the plunger 56 is complimentarily shaped. Referring to FIGS. 7-10,the second preferred embodiment of the dispenser 30:2 is similar indesign and operation to the first preferred dispenser 30:1, except forthe tubular sleeve 72 is integrally formed with the dispenser body 40.

Referring to FIGS. 11-14, a third preferred embodiment of the dispenser30:3 preferably includes a removable member 92 that is disposed aboutthe dispenser body 40 and is adapted to prevent the cap 50 from slidingthereon. Referring specifically to FIG. 13, it is preferable that theremovable member 92 is disposed beneath a bottom edge of the cap 50 andabove an upper dispenser body shoulder 94. The cap 50 is slidable from asecond cap position (shown in FIG. 13), in which the inner cap surface48 is spaced from the first dispenser end 42A, to a first cap position(as shown in FIG. 14), in which the inner cap surface 48 is at least inclose proximity to the first dispenser end 42A. Those of ordinary skillin the art will appreciate that the term “at least in close proximity”means “preferably abutting contact therebetween or within a reasonabletolerance, such as between approximately two (2) and four (4)millimeters or the like.”

The plunger 56 is slidably disposed at least partially within thedispenser body for movement from a first plunger position (shown in FIG.13), in which the plunger extends generally between the inner capsurface 48 and the second dispenser end 42B, to a second plungerposition (shown in FIG. 14), in which the plunger 56 penetrates aportion 60 of the dispenser body 40 to create a passageway 62. The cap50 can be moved into the first cap position to drive the plunger 56 fromthe first plunger position to the second plunger position to selectivelydisperse the flavoring component 32 into the bottle 38.

The fourth preferred dispenser 30:4 is substantially similar to thirdpreferred dispenser 30:3, except that the tubular sleeve 72 isintegrally formed with the dispenser body 40. Those of ordinary skill inart will appreciate from this disclosure that while a threaded tubularsleeve 72 is disclosed in each of the dispenser embodiments 30:1-30:6,that various methods of securing any of the dispensers 30:1-30:6 to thebottle 38 can be used without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. For example, the dispensers 30:1-30:6 can be sonicallywelded, integrally formed with a heat weld, hot wire welded, oradhesively fixed to the bottle 38 without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 17-19, a fifth preferred embodiment of the dispenser30:5 of the present invention includes a dispenser body having aconsumable beverage passageway 96 extending between the first dispenserbody end 42A and a portion of a dispenser outer surface 98 and isadapted to be located within the bottle 38 when the dispenser 30:5 isengaged with the bottle 38. Referring to FIGS. 20-22, it is preferred,but not necessary, that the chamber 34 not be in fluid communicationwith the first dispenser end 42A except for by following a liquid paththrough the consumable beverage 36 in the bottle and into the dispenser40 via the portion of the dispenser outer surface 98 that opens to theconsumable beverage passageway 96.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the plunger 56 is preferably disposedwithin the dispenser body 40 such that when the dispenser 30:5 issecured to bottle 38, the dispenser body 40 drives the plunger 56 topenetrate a portion of the dispenser body 60 to create a passageway 62and thus, encouraging any flavoring component 32 that is consumed by aperson to flow through the bottle 38 and back into the dispenser body 40via the consumable beverage passageway 96.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 18 and 21, the plunger 56 is out ofcontact with the penetrable section 60 when the tubular sleeve 72 isbeginning to engage the bottle 38. As the tubular sleeve 72 is threadedonto the bottle 38, the upper half of the dispenser body 40 drives theplunger 56 downwardly until the tubular sleeve 36 is engaged with thebottle 38 sufficiently to force the plunger 56 downwardly through thepenetratable section 60 of the dispenser body 40. Those of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that the penetrable portion 60 of anyof the dispensers 30:1-30:6 can be formed by a foil, a partiallyperforated polymer section, or the like without departing from the scopeof the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, one embodiment of the present invention operatesas follows. The second dispenser end 42B is inserted into the bottleopening 70 such that the dispenser lip 64 abuts the bottle surface 68.Then, the tubular sleeve 72 is slid over the top of the dispenser body40 and threadably secured to the bottle 38. Thus, the tubular sleeve 72clamps the dispenser lip 64 between an upper, annular ring, portion ofthe tubular sleeve 72 and the bottle surface 68 to secure the dispenser30:1 thereto. Then, a user depresses button 80 to drive the plunger 56downwardly through the penetrable section 60 to create a passageway 62.Any flavoring component 32 within the chamber 34 of the dispenser 30:1is then allowed to pass through the passageway 62 and mix with theconsumable beverage 36. Referring specifically to FIG. 5, while theplunger 56 is in the second plunger position and the cap 50 is in thefirst cap position, the consumable beverage 36 and/or the flavoringcomponent 32 are preferably prevented from being ejected from the bottlevia the dispenser 30:1. To drink from the consumable beverage bottle 38,the user pulls the cap 50 upwardly into the second cap position as shownin FIG. 6.

While various shapes, configurations, chamber shapes, dispenser shapes,plunger configurations and bottle shapes have been described above andshown in the drawings for the various embodiments of the dispenser ofthe present invention, those of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate from this disclosure that any combination of the abovefeatures, fins, dispenser lips, or the like can be used, in anycombination, without departing from the scope of the present invention.Accordingly, it is recognized by those skilled in the art that changesmay be made to the above described embodiments of the invention withoutdeparting from the inventive concept thereof. It is understood,therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particularembodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover all modifications whichare within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims and/or as shown in the attached drawings.

1. A dispenser for a bottle adapted to contain a consumable beverage,the dispenser being adapted for a person to drink from and being adaptedto engage the bottle, the dispenser comprising: a dispenser bodydefining a chamber adapted to hold a flavoring component, the dispenserbody having a first dispenser end, adapted for drinking therefrom, andhaving a second dispenser end, adapted to be engaged with the bottle; aplunger slidably disposed at least partially within the dispenser bodyfor movement from a first plunger position to a second plunger position,in which the plunger creates a passageway through the dispenser body,the passageway being adapted to allow the flavoring component from thedispenser body to mix with the consumable beverage in the bottle; and acap slidably positioned on the first dispenser end of the dispenser bodyand defining a cap opening adapted to allow the person to drink theconsumable beverage therefrom, the cap being moveable between a firstcap position, in which the cap opening is proximate to the firstdispenser end of the dispenser body, and a second cap position, in whichthe cap opening is spaced further from the first dispenser end than whenthe cap is in the first cap position, wherein when the plunger is in thesecond plunger position and the cap is in the first cap position, theplunger end cooperates with the cap to seal the cap opening so that thedispenser is adapted to prevent the consumable beverage from leaving thebottle.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispenser body includesan outwardly directed dispenser lip that forms a dispenser shoulderadapted to be seated on a bottle surface defining a bottle opening. 3.The dispenser of claim 2, further comprising a tubular sleeve that isslidably engageable over the dispenser to secure the dispenser at leastpartially in the bottle opening.
 4. The dispenser of claim 3, whereinthe tubular sleeve is threadably engageable with the bottle.
 5. Thedispenser of claim 1, further comprising a tubular sleeve disposed overand spaced from a portion of the dispenser body to create a perimetergroove around the dispenser body adapted to receive a portion of thebottle that defines a bottle opening.
 6. The dispenser of claim 1,wherein the dispenser body comprises a penetrable section disposed onthe second dispenser end.
 7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein theplunger end forms a button that, while the plunger is in the firstplunger position, is adapted for the person to depress to allow theflavoring component to mix with the consumable beverage.
 8. Thedispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispenser has a longitudinal axis anddefines a chamber therein, the chamber having at least first and secondchamber sections, the first chamber section including the firstdispenser end, the first chamber cross-section, as measuredperpendicular to the longitudinal axis, being greater than the secondchamber cross-section, as measured perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis.
 9. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the first and second chambersections are generally cylindrical.
 10. The dispenser of claim 8,wherein the plunger comprises at least one gasket extending outwardlytherefrom, the at least one gasket forming a chamber seal between theplunger and an inner chamber surface along the first chamber sectionwhen the plunger is in the first plunger position, the chamber sealbeing adapted to prevent the flavoring component from being dispensedthrough the cap, the at least one gasket being spaced from the innerchamber surface along the second chamber section when the plunger is inthe second position to form a chamber passageway, the chamber passagewaybeing adapted to allow the flavoring component and/or the consumablebeverage to flow toward the cap.
 11. The dispenser of claim 10, whereinthe plunger includes at least one guide projection extending outwardlytherefrom and slidably abutting the inner chamber surface.
 12. Thedispenser of claim 11, wherein the chamber includes a chamber shoulderadapted to abut the at least one guide projection to prevent the plungerfrom being completely withdrawn from the dispenser body.
 13. Thedispenser of claim 12, wherein the chamber shoulder is formed at aninterface between the second chamber section and a third chambersection, the third chamber section having a third chamber cross-section,as measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, that is greaterthan the second chamber cross-section.
 14. The dispenser of claim 1,wherein the first end of the dispenser body is open, a cap inner surfacesubstantially closing the first dispenser end.
 15. A dispenser for abottle adapted to contain a consumable beverage, the dispenser beingadapted for a person to drink from and being adapted to engage thebottle, the dispenser comprising: a dispenser body defining a chamberadapted to hold a flavoring component, the dispenser body having a firstdispenser end, suitable for drinking therefrom, and having a seconddispenser end, adapted to be engaged with the bottle; a cap slidablypositioned on the first dispenser end of the dispenser body and defininga cap opening adapted to allow the person to drink the consumablebeverage therefrom, the cap having an inner cap surface; a removablemember disposed about the dispenser body and adapted to prevent the capfrom sliding from a second cap position, in which the inner cap surfaceis spaced from the first dispenser end, to a first cap position, inwhich the inner cap surface is at least in close proximity to the firstdispenser end; a plunger slidably disposed at least partially within thedispenser body for movement from a first plunger position, in which theplunger generally extends between the inner cap surface and the seconddispenser end, to a second plunger position, in which the plungercreates a passageway through the dispenser body, the passageway beingadapted to allow the flavoring component from the dispenser body to mixwith the consumable beverage in the bottle, wherein when the removablemember is displaced from about the dispenser body, the cap can be movedinto the first cap position to drive the plunger from the first plungerposition to the second plunger position.
 16. The dispenser of claim 15,wherein the dispenser body includes an outwardly directed dispenser lipthat forms a dispenser shoulder adapted to be seated on a bottle surfacedefining a bottle opening.
 17. The dispenser of claim 16, furthercomprising a tubular sleeve that is slidably engageable over thedispenser to secure the dispenser at least partially in the bottleopening.
 18. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein the tubular sleeve isthreadably engageable with the bottle.
 19. The dispenser of claim 15,wherein the dispenser body comprises a penetrable section disposed onthe second dispenser end.
 20. A dispenser for a bottle adapted tocontain a consumable beverage, the dispenser being adapted for a personto drink from and being adapted to engage the bottle, the dispensercomprising: a dispenser body defining a chamber adapted to hold aflavoring component, the dispenser body having a first dispenser end,adapted for drinking therefrom, and having a second dispenser end,adapted to be engaged with the bottle; a plunger slidably disposed atleast partially within the dispenser body for movement from a firstplunger position to a second plunger position, in which the plungercreates a passageway through the dispenser body, the passageway beingadapted to allow the flavoring component from the dispenser body to mixwith the consumable beverage in the bottle; wherein when the plunger isin the second plunger position, the cap can be positioned to, incombination with the plunger, prevent the consumable beverage fromleaving the bottle.